Are you eligible for our pesticide amnesty?

Lincolnshire catchment advisor Kelly Hewson-Fisher

Although pesticides are a vital part of UK agriculture’s tool box, many have been lost because of their impact on water quality or the aquatic environment. For growers, the impact of losing a pesticide can be huge particularly where no alternatives exist. Farmers are left wondering whether the crop can be grown in the rotation. If alternative products exist, are they as good? Do they work? Are they cost effective?

Compared to many other EU countries the UK has a large area of land with mechanically improved drainage which means pesticides applied can move very quickly (via the drains) into the watercourses. Although when a pesticide loses its approval it is illegal to use, with some products banned many years ago like IPU (2009) and Terbutyrn (2008) still regularly detected in surface water sources.

In the past, many organisations (including Government) have run pesticide amnesty schemes to enable the safe, anonymous disposal of banned or redundant pesticides. By encouraging their safe disposal, a significant environmental risk is reduced.

Having spoken with a number of local Lincolnshire farmers and agronomists we felt it appropriate to launch a free Pesticide Amnesty scheme in selected catchments around the Louth Canal, Great Eau and River Ancholme.

What to do:

Have a look in your chemical store and identify any unwanted,expired or unused pesticides.

Contact David Brown at Chemclear Ltd on 07436 077304 or email info@chemclearltd.co.uk to arrange collection.

David will complete and supply all the paperwork to comply with legislation.

The Amnesty is completely confidential and available for a limited time – on a first come first served basis so now is the time to take a look and register.